I laughed and rolled with it as she shoved on my arm, shaking my head and holding up my hand. "I swear, I didn't. You beat me on your first time? Ah! I'm never gonna live this down." It felt so nice to be this relaxed with her, around her, and to actually talk to her! My heart was pounding, but in a brilliant way like never before.

"You," I answered without thinking when you asked me; the question had surprised me and maybe that's why I was so honest. Shockingly, my cheeks didn't flame as I finally confessed my three year crush to someone, heck, not just anyone, but to my crush herself! My joy from confessing would probably only be destroyed as it was met with awkwardness and the comfortable feelings disappearing in the wind, but for a moment, I like it kindle in my heart.

I focused most of my attention upon the game, mostly in order to keep my thoughts in check, and to my surprise i won. Doing my best to hide my excitement, a grin spread across my lips as i turned to look at you, "I swear, i've never played. You must have let me win! You did didn't you?!" Extending a hand i lightly pushed against your shoulder, almost completely forgetting my anxiety.

So now i had to think up a question; what was i going to ask? I could go for the really obvious question, but there was a risk it would up the tension again. Yet if i deliberately avoided it that too could cause an awkwardness to form. Oh what the hell, i was just going to go for it. "So, who do you like at school?"

"I already have one picked out," I assured you with a smile, though I had to bite off a protest when you picked my favorite car, and the only one I usually used. I went to my second favorite and the race began. It was the most fun I had had in forever, trying to beat you, though you're presence distracted me and the light perfume you wore drew my attention, like always.

My eyes were on you more than the screen, but I was still a little shocked when you won. Before you could ask your question, I teased, "Are you certain you've never played before?"

I nod slowly, focusing closely upon each button, trying to remember what each does. You leant close to me again and i could not help but inhale your perfume again, as discretely as possible. So close, i could just lean forward and... You leant back again, loading up the game before instructing me to choose the vehicle i wanted.

Having no idea of what each vehicle did, or whether it mattered which i selected, i picked the one i liked the most. A smile played across my lips at your mention of winning, a small laugh escaping me, "You'll be asking all the questions then!" Sitting here with you felt right, it felt as though we had been friends for years and the tension had already begun to evapourate.

"The square makes you move forward, the triangle makes you brake, the circle is a speed boost, and the X is useless for the most part," I explained quickly, leaning towards you to point to each button. You were smart and knew your shapes, I knew that. I just wanted the excuse to be near you, though the atmosphere was still a little shy and tense, it was warming up and quickly relaxing.

Quickly I loaded the game to multiplayer and said, "You can go with any car you want. Move up and down and you'll see them. Click the X to pick. Winner of each race gets to ask one question, deal?" I could almost feel my eyes sparkling as I looked at you and my lips were turned up in a rare smile. No, for you my smiles were never rare, but you returning them was and it made me very happy.

I couldn't help but lift a slender brow at your response to my request. I was no angel and, though my experience was limited to the male population, it did not take long to work out just what you were implying. Despite these facts i was surprised to find that my cheeks felt rather warm, but not unpleasantly so - few people couple make me feel shy in their presence.

"It's fine." I reassure you, shuffling a little closer to you and returning your smile. Settling one of the controllers in my hand, i ran my thumbs over the buttons before turning my head toward you. "So, what does each button do?" My green eyes settle upon your face, ready to listen to your instructions. It was good to have something to focus on, perhaps once we had finished playing we would feel more comfortable in each other's company.

"Thanks. My father likes to play and he tries to get all the games that either of us would like," was my reply as you moved across the room. Each of your movements was beautiful and controlled and my heart beat faster with you so close, yet I couldn't move away. You didn't just look at them and pull one out randomly to amuse me, but examined them all and picked a game; I had to wonder if you knew that it was my favorite somehow.

Upon hearing your request for me to teach you, a wolfish grin came onto my features and I replied sweetly, "I could teach you loads of things, and I'd love to."

Biting the inside of my cheek, I bowed my head until I had cleared my head and wiped the smile away, before checking my last statement with a polite, "Sorry, that sounded-uh-less than graceful. I meant that I'd be glad to help. You picked my favorite game after all, and it's only fair." My smile was gentle even though my mind whirled in harsh circles.

A grin spread across my lips as you too appeared to be feeling the tension, it was a relief to know you felt the same. The sight of your rather extensive game collection had my eyes widening before i glanced toward you, my gaze not at all critical. "That's quite a collection..." I commented quietly, placing my glass of juice to the side as i slipped from my chair to examine the spines of each case.

I ran my finger along the games, trying to pick something that would be reasonably easy to master. Video games were not something that I had been allowed to play very often and so i was certain that i wouldn't be very good. Eventually i selected some sort of racing game with the hope that it wouldn't be too difficult and took a seat next to you as i handed over the box.

"You are going to have to teach me..." I warn with a smile.

"Strange? More like killerly awkward," I replied to your admission and the room's tension eased. I wondered if my body spray was too much, because I noticed you sniff slightly when I was sitting close to you. Axe was my scent of choice, since it was appealing to females and myself to a degree.

Getting up, I walked over to the entertainment center, and opened the door. Rows and rows of games were revealed and I replied, "You pick it, and I have it." My glance was timid, as I wondered if you thought I was a gamer freak now, but I decided that it was better you know the things about me that I hid, that way I would understand it better when you rejected me. Believe me, I knew you'd reject me.

I turned on the game station and gestured for you to pick a game, as I pulled a pillow off the love seat and sat on the floor, a little closer to the TV and much more comfortable.

Accepting the glass with a smile, resting it carefully upon my leg as i felt your drop down upon the couch next to me. "Orange juice is great, thanks." I could smell your perfume you were that close, close enough to touch but instead i raised the glass to my lips and took a sip of my juice. Your laughter drew a smile to my lips, it was good to hear you laugh, it was so rare to see you smile at school.

"This does feel a little strange doesn't it?" Admiting the strangeness seemed to ease the tension a little, and i offered you a brighter smile than i had done before. Our only real interaction previously had been brief glances in the corridor and forced conversations on the brief occassions we had to talk.

"What games do you have?" I asked, glancing toward your television. A game would make things a bit more comfortable surely.

"Okay," I said, getting up to make something. I wondered what would be best and decided that orange juice sounded the best. I picked some fruit from the basket on the counter and set about making it. I heard your phone ring and saw you look at it, and just as I was about to suggest stepping into my room if you didn't want me to hear, you rejected it. That made me smile.

I walked back over with the juice and handed it to you, sitting down next to you, just so that I could be close to you. Leaning back, I said, "I'm not sure if you like OJ, but I figured it was the safest bet, ya know?" Laughing at this, I watched you, admired you, and wondered what you were thinking.

My eyes trailed over you for a moment and then I asked, "We're not gonna find a good topic are we?" Before you could reply, I nod to myself and said, "How about we play video games or cards? Winner could get to ask one question from the other."

I'd been peering at the cover of a magazine which sat upon a nearby table when the movement of your door caught the corner of my eye. Lifting my head i couldn't help but trail my gaze down your body, a faint smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "It's fine, you weren't gone that long..." I followed your movements across the room with my gaze, watching as you curled up upon the love seat.

"A drink would be nice actually." I suggest with a small shrug, still allowing my gaze to sweep over your body that was now far more visible in the clothing which hugged your form rather than swamped it. Sitting her with you all i wanted to do was tell you how i really felt, how i wished that i could stand up for you in front of all my friends, how i longed to be with you like i wanted to be.

But as my lips parted to try and put such feelings into words i felt my cell begin to vibrate against my thigh. Grimacing faintly, i fished it from my pocket and glanced at the caller ID - Rebecca. Probably one of my closer friends at school, but a snob none the less and she definately didn't like you. Rejecting the call, i switched it off before stuffing it back in my pocket with a muttered apology.